IET President: universities must share IP with SMEs

By Edd Gent

Published Wednesday, August 28, 2013

The outgoing president of the IET says more universities must share research with SMEs.

Professor Andy Hopper is making the plea as he prepares to step down after his one-year term as he believes a greater willingness from universities to share their intellectual property (IP) could give a boost to SMEs, the engine room of the UK economy.

He said: “Taxpayers are already funding the creation of innovative intellectual property in our universities, so it seems reasonable that more of this is made available to UK SMEs that are best positioned to add value and commercialise it.

“Universities should be encouraged and incentivised more to kick start the development of new technologies and products by openly assigning the required IP to dynamic British businesses at minimal extra cost.

“In return, maybe the university could get a one or two per cent shareholding; more of a goodwill gesture than a conventional transaction. This is all perfectly possible and is happening in a number of UK universities already.”

Hopper, who heads up the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory, is also calling on the Government to ensure more engineers are involved in decision making.

With a raft of massive engineering projects in the pipeline, such as smart grids, High Speed 2, faster broadband networks and new or expanded airports, he wants to see more engineering advisers embedded in government.

“In the UK, engineering is still undervalued despite our rich industrial heritage and track record in pioneering new technologies. This is reflected in the make-up of the Government and must change to help turn around the UK economy,” he added.

“With the success of so much future policy based around engineering and technology, I believe that it is time for the Government to draw more on the knowledge and experience of the UK’s best engineering talent at the highest levels.”